There was only one bee yesterday and I thought great, there's enough to go around. But today it looks like LAX for bees---there are loads of 'em coming and going and hanging in clumps from the dripper! Now, I'm no bee keeper and don't want to end up as a pin cusion, so first, how do I extracate my feeder (I know smoke sedates them or something but I don't know how much smoke I'd need...even if I had the stones to try that anyway). Second, will I ever be able to put the feeder back up (not sure how good bee memory is or if they take notes and make little bee maps when they get back to the hive) or are my hummers just S.O.L.?
Those of us w/o stingers thank you in advance for your help.
2006-08-12 14:30:35 · 4 answers · asked by Kosmo 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It sounds like you have a himmingbird feeder that doesn't have a some sort of screen to keep the bees away from the feeder. The screens have an opening large enough for a hummingbird to insert their beak and feed, but too small for the bees to reach the liquid. It could also be that there is a leak somewhere that is allowing the bees to have access to the liquid or at least a constant drip.
I have had himmingbird feeders for many years and have never had a bee problem. Perhaps you need to invest in a better model of feeder. By the way, the bees will return to their nests at night allowing you to take down the feeder.
Good luck with your problem.
2006-08-15 04:46:28 · answer #1 · answered by exbuilder 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
I had simular experience a few years ago. I just waited for the bees to drink all of the fluid, then took the feeder down. I moved it to another location and they found it. I tried again the next year but the bees came back. I have never fed the hummingbirds again. Good luck
2006-08-12 14:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by old_woman_84 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i,m sorry i can,t answer your question, but bees do not have maps, however a bee scout can go back to the hive after finding a food sourceand give other bees a exact distance and direction to it. this is no joke. i am a bee keeper and i know.
2006-08-15 15:19:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem just about two years ago. The bees will leave soon, wait them out. When the bees left our back yard it was crazy, they were bouncing off the Arcadia door as they swarmed and left. They will leave , be a good host and leave them alone. For your sake.
2006-08-12 14:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋